Brad Coppedge

With over 25 years experience, Brad is recognized as a regional leader in estate planning and administration, including related matters such as tax-planning advice for individuals and families with high net worth. This work includes the preparation of wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, family partnerships, advanced trust techniques (GRATs, CRUTs, SLATs and GST trusts) and gifting and transfer documents. He also advises clients on charitable planning, such as charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts and private foundations, and regularly assists clients with the creation of tax-exempt 501(c) organizations.

He also advises clients on pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, and represents both individual and corporate trustees in fiduciary matters, including changes in trustees, trust modifications, trust terminations and similar matters. He works with clients to create Special Needs Trusts (SNTs), both for self-settled and third-party donor created trusts, in Medicaid planning and in planning for beneficiaries with disabilities.

Brad’s practice also covers a wide variety of business matters ranging from entity selection and formation with full consideration of the most favorable tax, liability and operational issues ranging from LLCs, c-corporations, s-corporations, partnerships and joint ventures. He advises clients on ongoing matters such as employment agreements, buy-sell agreements, contracts, leases, retirement plans and other operational matters. He regularly represents buyers and sellers of businesses in connection with an asset or stock purchase agreement, and other corporate transactions

Brad maintains an active probate and estate administration practice, which includes representing clients in the probate of wills, estate administration and year’s support proceedings. He works with families and individuals who need a guardian of the person or conservator of the property for adults, minors, and individuals with disabilities or special needs.

Brad regularly represents both entity and individual clients in controversies with the IRS and the State Department of Revenue, including resolution procedures such as offers in compromise, innocent spouse filings and installment agreements.

Additionally, Brad has a niche practice committed to helping clients with NFA Gun Trusts, also referred to as a Class 3 Trust or a Firearms Trust, which are utilized to legally purchase, own and facilitate the subsequent transfer of Title II Firearms such as suppressors and SBRs sold by Class 3 dealers.

Brad received a B.B.A. in Accounting from Mercer University in 1993, a J.D. degree from Mercer University School of Law in 1996, and a LL.M. (Master of Laws) in Taxation from the University of Miami School of Law in 1997.

He has been a member of the Georgia Bar since 1996 and the Alabama bar since 1998, and is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court. He is a member of the Columbus Bar Association and the Atlanta Estate Planning Council.

Before joining Goggans, Stutzman, Hudson, Wilson and Mize, Brad was a shareholder and partner for 6 year at Hall Booth Smith, P.C, and prior to that practiced at Hatcher, Stubbs, Land, Hollis and Rothschild, LLP for 18 years, becoming a partner in 2002.

Brad practices out of the Columbus office, but is regularly in the Atlanta offices as well, serving the needs of his clients in the greater Atlanta area. A native of Columbus, Brad has a strong commitment to the community and his many clients. He speaks at both local and regional events sponsored by private and public organizations on the topics of estate planning and choice of entity. He also writes a monthly blog on the firm’s website on timely estate planning topics under the “ Estate Planning: Life, Death and Taxes ” blog, and has written numerous articles in local, state and national publications. Brad also publishes an estate planning guide for non-lawyers, and a link to the most current edition is Estate Planning & Probate Overview for the Georgia and Alabama Non-Lawyer: Just the Basics Please!

Brad is AV-rated by martindale.com, with a 4.9/5.0 Peer and 5.0/5.0 Client rating. He also has an AVVO rating of a perfect 10.0.